God’s Commission to Joshua
April 11, 2022
Commentary
God spoke from heaven directly to Joshua to reassure him of his appointment Moses’ successor (vv. 1-3). Joshua was commanded by God to lead the Israelites and claim the land. Although the land was God’s gift to Israel, it would only become theirs by hard fighting. John Wesley once said, “God buries His workman, but his work goes on.” Moses was dead, but Joshua was to carry on the work (v. 2a). Joshua’s task seemed huge, but God would be with him (vv. 2b-5). Naturally we are weak and fearful but with God we can choose to be strong and courageous (v. 6). We are naturally distracted, but God commands us to be careful in observing his law, not swerving right or left (v. 7). If we keep God’s word at the forefront, we will prosper and succeed (vv. 8-9).
Next Joshua spoke to the people. In only three days they would cross the Jordan and enter the Promise Land (vv. 10-11). Joshua specifically addressed the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (v. 12). After the battle against the Midianites (Numbers 31), these tribes had asked Moses for permission to settle in the lands on the Eastern side of the Jordan River (Numbers 32) instead of settling in the Promised land on the Western side of the Jordan, with the other tribes. Moses had granted their request on the condition that all their fighting men participated in the conquest of the Promised Land (Num. 32:29-30), and they had agreed. Joshua wanted to be sure he still had their support for the coming campaign. They told Joshua “We will do” and “we will go.” They only had one condition: they were willing to follow Joshua if he showed clear evidence of being led by God. This was a wise precaution and one that should be carefully followed by all the Lord’s people today. Otherwise, we find “blind leaders of the blind.” Also, in verse 18 like in verses 6 through 9 the command is emphasized to be strong and of a good courage.
Application
The next time you are afraid to do what you know is right, remember that strength and courage are readily available from God.
Joshua 1:1– 18 (NET)
1 After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready! Cross the Jordan River. Lead these people into the land that I am ready to hand over to them. 3 I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert in the south to Lebanon in the north. It will extend all the way to the great River Euphrates in the east (including all Syria) and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone. 6 Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them. 7 Make sure you are very strong and brave! Carefully obey all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep. Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do. 8 This law scroll must not leave your lips. You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. 9 I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.”
10 Joshua instructed the leaders of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your supplies, for within three days you will cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to you.’”
12 Joshua told the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh: 13 “Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you. The Lord your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you. 14 Your wives, children, and cattle may stay in the land that Moses assigned to you east of the Jordan River. But all of you warriors must cross over armed for battle ahead of your brothers. You must help them 15 until the Lord gives your brothers a place like yours to settle and they conquer the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to them. Then you may go back to your allotted land and occupy the land Moses the Lord’s servant assigned you east of the Jordan.”
16 They told Joshua, “We will do everything you say. We will go wherever you send us. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. But may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Any man who rebels against what you say and does not obey all your commands will be executed. But be strong and brave!”
Illustration: When John F Kennedy was shot
In 1963, while I was driving Jack Wyrtzen from Dayton to Youngstown, Ohio for an evening youth rally the announcement came over the car radio that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. After the initial shock I remember, of anxiously, wondering if the Vice-President Lyndon Johnson could pick up the mantle of the fallen leader. I imagine the people of Israel have felt much the same way as it was announced that Moses was dead and Joshua was their new leader. (Lou Nicholes, Joshua, Conquest of the Promised Land, 2004).